ADB offers new $4.2 mln loans to Hanoi’s metro project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to offer new loan assistance of $4.2 million equivalent for infrastructure upgrades at stations along Hanoi’s metro line 3 to boost connectivity and services for the travelling public in the capital city of Vietnam. The project’s civil works will include pedestrian subways and footbridges, bus stops, bus feeder links, dedicated taxi stands, park-and-ride facilities for two-wheeled vehicles and waiting areas for public transport service providers. A total of 52 buses will service the feeder lines and an information system will be set up linked to the main bus control center in Hanoi, providing real-time bus and train arrival information. The project will also develop station access management and enforcement systems to ensure the smooth flow of pedestrians and private vehicles, and will incorporate gender and safety design features including priority seating and allocated waiting spaces for women, adequate lighting and closed circuit TV surveillance. The public transport facilities will be built along the first stage of the line from Nhon to Hanoi main railway station, up to 500 meters from the four underground and eight elevated stations along the route. Along with the physical works, the project will provide consulting services to develop a policy blueprint on public transport ticketing and pricing, as well as training and other capacity building support for staff in Hanoi’s transport agencies. Hanoi is seeing a sharp rise in car ownership, which along with the continued boom in motorcycle use is causing severe traffic congestion during peak hours,…